Israel Strikes Iran

Israeli forces launched major strikes against Iran on Thursday.

Multiplereports indicate that top Iranian officials, including key leaders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iranian nuclear scientists, were targeted in the strikes. Israel has also confirmed that its forces targeted Iranian nuclear sites. (RELATED: Middle East Power Player Reportedly Told Iran To Take Trump’s Nuclear Deal)

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The extent of the damage was not immediately clear, according to Axios. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that the Israeli operation against Iran  “will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”

The Israel Defense Forces released a statement shortly after news of the strikes broke on Thursday evening.

“Dozens of jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran,” the IDF stated. “Today, Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and to the wider world. The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfill the obligation to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past.”

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a special state of emergency for all of Israel on Thursday night, and sirens reportedly blared in Israel, according to Axios.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also released a Thursday statement addressing the strikes.

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said. “Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”

The Trump administration had worked to reach a diplomatic agreement with Iran addressing its nuclear program and ambitions, though talks appeared to have stalled out as the two sides were stuck at an impasse about whether Iran would be permitted to enrich uranium under the terms of a prospective deal. Some Trump insiders reportedly wanted the president to take military action against the Iranians, while a more restraint-minded faction preferred to find a diplomatic solution.

This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.

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